Heavenly Integrity

I'm considering Quitting this Podcast, here's why:

Contact me here: https://anartisticadventure.com/contact
Here's a real honest episode, as if they aren't all so honest and raw it makes you uncomfortable.
 
Not really sure how this one is gonna go over.
I'm considering quitting the podcast and it's not because I'm not getting the following I want, this isn't about success or failure.
You'll see if you listen, but basically it's just becoming weird for my mental health and I think I may be better off not doing it, so that's what I'm leaning towards. 

Religion's Effect on Mental Health

Trigger warning: suicidal ideation is mentioned in this episode
     In this episode of Hevenly Integrity you'll hear about Matilda's personal experience with her current and past religious beliefs and how these affect her mental health.
     Fear is often a driving force but not the end of the matter. Changing the way we view our experience can allow us to keep believing in what empowers us and let go of what doesn't!
     You'll also hear Matilda's viewpoint on hell and how she disagrees with what has been taught in mainstream Christianity about eternal torment.
     This episode is not all doom and gloom, in fact it has more to do with empowerment and an honest look at mental health. When one does face overwhelming thoughts, what to do, how to see it. Habitual thoughts create these easy to slide into thought processes that can be overcome with meditation, breathing and prayer!
     Furthermore, the main focus of this episode is to draw our attention to the changing aspect of our beliefs and how we are always only on the journey and never in any fixed place. Just because we don't know exactly what to believe doesn't mean we cannot find peace with where we are. 
     Self-actualization is mentioned as a tool to ground us in the process. We can use it in our metacognitive adventures! 
 
Support this podcast by checking out the host's artwork here: Whimsical Artwork by Christian Artist Matilda Wentzel
 

How to Hear God and find Joy

Where does one find this "Joy of the Lord" or "Inner Peace"?
How do I hear from God?
These are the top 2 questions that have been on my mind lately, join me as I dive into them here.
 
Joy can't be forced or faked.
I touch on heaviness (sadness) and the age-old question of "Where are you God?"
Then I get into how our focus effects our ability to experience God and the joy that is found there.
 
Getting close to God requires something out of us: Trust.
Being able to hear from God requires us not only to quiet our mind, but also to listen, tune in and listen up with clear spiritual ears!
 
What keeps us from being able to hear from God? The heaviness, all the worries, the distrust. 
I really like this episode and I think you will too! 
 
My Blog: https://anartisticadventure.com/blog?category=Painting%20Descriptions
 

Staying in God's Will and Plan! + My Marriage is Healing!

Please share this episode with a friend! 
Join my email list here: https://anartisticadventure.com/emails
 
In this episode we’re discussing staying in God's will
 
First some great news! My marriage is saved! It is literally a miracle and is only possible by God’s work in my life and heart!
 
Back to the content:
Here we are discussing how manipulating our reality is not as satisfying as allowing our heart to be changed to be in alignment with God’s will!!!! Yay! Good stuff, you’ll wanna give it a listen!
 
God is so desirable! There’s no running away once you catch a glimpse!
God even plans out our wanderings away from Him.
Yet, His power remains behind our turning back to him as well. Only by the power of God can our eyes of understanding be opened, just as He’s behind our rebellion too.
 
Everything that happens in our life is all a part of our preparation to be who we are CALLED to be! Our life's destiny and purpose! 
As a Christian, this means our specific place in the Body of Christ.
 
Being in God’s presence causes our heart to mourn for the time we have spent away from God, we get a fire stirred up in our heart to be wholehearted towards God moving forward!
 
I’m not God, yet I worshiped myself as god without even knowing it, my desires were my god, my own heart and what I wanted caused me to see myself as god, as all I cared about.
Humility was so far from me. 
True humility sees one’s self without the need to be anything more.
 
Now my every breath desires to move closer to YaHWeh. 
To seek the presence of God in every second!! 
LOVE! 
It never ends, this ability to grow closer and closer to God!
 
I talk about anxiety and depression and how certain practices became nothing more than a cover up and making things worse. How do you see deeper into yourself?
 
Do we have a desire to spiritually grow?
 
There’s NO thwarting God’s plan. There’s little we truly do have control over.
I can’t hold my life together, and I’m just so glad I don’t have to!
 
Our desires flourish when they are in alignment with God’s Will!

Your Voice Matters! Stories on Communication, Relationships, God, and Drugs.

The painting I'm talking about in this episode can be found here: Psalm 19 Commentary - We All Have a Voice, Encouragement to Live a Divine Life — An Artistic Adventure
As per usual I get off on some tangents in this episode, starting out with the super important topic of speaking our unique message, and by the end, ended up on the subject of drugs and the world of the "Natural".
I open up about some of my personal relationships and how at times I felt unheard. I'm definitely going to have to revisit this subject as I have so many more thoughts on the voice and why it matters to speak up. 
Get on my email list to see all my new paintings and hear when I post new episodes: Subscribe to Stay in Touch — An Artistic Adventure
 
#christianpodcast #christianvoice #christiansanddrugs

How to read the Bible + Why Trust Me?

Curious about the Bible but don't know where to start?
Whether or not you're a Christian, the Bible is big and may seem daunting. So, in this episode I tackle the topic of: "How to Read the Bible?" 
Furthermore, as a Christian myself, I know the importance of recognizing biblical information. (i.e. what agrees with the Bible and what doesn't).
There are so many different sorts of information out here on the internet and it's easy to be persuaded. That's all the more reason to trust who you're listening to. 
So in this episode I speak on my experience with the Bible and how to read it. Then you can make your own decision of whether or not you want to listen to me. 

Seeing the Future and my Return to Christ

Here's my story over the last few months and some of the dramatic things that have led me to return to my Faith in Christ. As well as my return to sobriety. 
God called me to Themselves, and I ran from that call, now I'm showing up to follow my life's calling.
I speak on being able to tell the future and what plays into that, the dangers of getting in touch with esoteric knowledge, and the truth of the fact that no one can truly know their future. 
I mention a lot about fear and how I'm coming to terms with feeling secure and safe in my beliefs regardless.
I touch on humility, how I thought I was god and forgot to give praise where credit is due, instead worshiping myself! 
Who am I really? Authentically? Christian. Can I stand in my truth? 
I am a Follower of The Way, The Truth, The Life. 
Join me for a listen and you get to see my smile and face on my YouTube! 

Why am I returning to my Faith?

In this episode I give you more of my story, speaking of why I'm retuning to my Faith.
I mention briefly how annoying it can be to see someone calling themselves a Christian but not living in a Christ-like way.
Also, why some may find it annoying to follow God in the first place.
I'm not coming back to Faith simply because of hard times, there's more to it. Challenges do tend to cause us to seek out something meaningful, like God. But as it turns out, only trusting on my own way didn’t quite lead me in the very best way. 
Furthermore, it's not only for comfort, or out of fear, or for protection. Even if I was coming back to my Faith simply because it’s safe and comfortable, that would be enough. But only for now, that reasoning wouldn't last. 
So why would I? I don't wanna give it away but....it's because I want to know God. 
Why not give it a listen and hear more of my story? 

Desires vs Temptation. How do you know your desires are from God?

In this episode I talk about differentiating between desires, temptations, and soul truths.
How do you know your desires are from God and not just another illusion to get caught up in? 
I mention a little bit about dualistic thinking as well.
Again, it's all coming from my own personal experience and the storyline I'm currently living as I'm moving back into my Faith.
Hope you enjoy and get something out of it.
 

Brainwashed or is “MY” God Really Real?

I started this episode because I was recording a mental note, but then I continued to talk, and it turned into an actual episode. So it's "real".
You'll hear quite a few stories here. We get down and dirty talking about drug use and its illusory nature which can cause a false sense of spirituality. 
Other stories from way back in the day where I'd end up in debates with a friend, I almost lost sight of my Faith then and you'll hear another story on why I kept it.
Lately I've been conflicted about close mindedness, yet I want a safe place to believe what feels real to me. So how can we get rid of mental anguish and live in our Faith?
Where is that rooted too? In a false sense of truth which does nothing but create more confusion? Or in something trustworthy that resonates with our soul?
I speak of my confusion back in the day (I didn't mention how this caused me to want to give up on life). ...So what kind of spiritual relationship could actually save your life? (We don't get into it in this episode) But what about the person I met who went out and took his own life? He seemed to know God, but there wasn't fruit in his life if he was willing to take it. The sad reality may have us lost in illusion. So is it really brainwash? 
Please support my art practice by checking out my website: AnArtisticAdventure.com